Controller for train-signal systems



W. E. BENN ET AL CONTROLLER FOR TRAIN SIGNAL SYSTEMS Original Filed May 10, 1920 il l l lillllllllllllll mum! aunt/n10 a, imam Benn George E. Davies.

1,522,939 New T 0mm WILLIAM n. annn Ann" en'oraen DAVIES; on no -nnw:' yoaizg nss'rGNcnsf-To rnnrnrrnnsmrns- TRAIN SIGNAL COMPANY,'0F PORTLAND, MAINE, A" con;

summon or MAINE.

CONTROILLER FOR TRAIN-SIGNAL SYSTEMS;

Ap phcation filed m 10, 1920,5eria11i0. 380,287. Renewed we 5, 1924.

To aZZiwhom aim-cry concern: I 1 1 h 1,

Be it known. that we, IILLIAME.BENN and Gnoncii E. DAVIES, CltlZ8I1S O f th6 Dominion of Canada, residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controllers for Train-Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification. t

Our said invention relates to controllers for use in train signal systemsand it consists in the details of construction and arrangement of parts whereby such a device is provided which is very convenient for use and reliable in its operation, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a View showing the frame or casing of the controller in section and the mechanism thereof in elevation,

Figure 2 is a similar View in plan,

Figure 3 a detailed view of the contact block forming a leading feature of said device, and

Figure 4% a diagrammatic view showing a modified arrangement.

In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the casing and B the frame.

Within the frame B is mounted a sliding rod 10, said rod adapted to slide in apertures in the ends of the frame. A block 11 is rigidly secured midway of said rod 10 preferably formed of insulating material with a metallic contact plate 12 mounted on one face thereof. Springs 13 are interposed between said block and the ends of the frame and are adapted to normally hold said block positioned centrally within said casing.

Spring contact arms 1 1 are mounted on binding posts 15 and are connected with wires 16 which form opposite sides of an electric circuit, said circuit being the circuit designed for controlling the signals throughout the train.

' The particular type of signaling system for which this controller is especially designed forms the subject matter of another application No. 380,286, filed by us of even date herewith and further illustration of this. articular device is therefore thought unnecessary. .v M i. In operation', the endsoflthe' rod-l1 ing connectedlby a signal cord,or otherw se, throughout the, train, a" member of the train crew may. operate thelsame by piilli n'gj on saidcord, which operates to slfide thelo d one way or'the other Land disconnectfoiie'arm 14L .orl' the other from its "contact with-l the contact; plate 12 and thus breaks the Assoonasithe circuit islbroken, the.f ftg m'r ar signal is operated. on'releasifigthe operating cord, the springs 13 operate to return the parts to normal position, bringing both arms 14: in contact with the plate 12 and closing the circuit and restoring the signals to safety position. It will be understood, of course, that in any arrangement wherein it is desired to have the circuit normally open the operation of the controller would be the reverse of that just described. The same principle will also apply in a multiple switch.

Having thus fully described our said invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A controller for train signaling systems, comprising a frame, a sliding bar mounted therein, means connected to each end of the bar whereby it may be moved, a contact plate mounted midway of said bar and insulated therefrom, springs for normally holding said contact plate midway of said frame, and terminal contact arms adapted to make contact with said plate, thus completing an electric circuit, substantially as set forth.

2. A controller for opening and closing the circuit of an electrically operated signal systemcomprising a reci rocating bar, a contact plate carried there y and insulated therefrom and normally in contact with the terminals of the circuit, means for normally holding said plate in position for closing the circuit and means for manually slidingsaid bar in either direction to break the circuit, as substantially set forth.

3. A controller for the circuit of an electrically operated signaling system comprising a sliding contact plate arranged to contact with the terminals of the two sides of the circuit in one position and to be out of contact with one while retaining contact 7 with theother in another position and means to automatically return to and retain said contact-plate in normal position when the operating force is removed.

4. In combination, a pair of contact arms, a plate adapted to contact therewith, resilient means acting on said plate to hold the same in central circuit closing position and oppositely acting means whereby the plate may be moved to either side of the central position to break the circuit, sub

stantially as set forth;

b In a circuit breaker, apair of spaced contacts, circuit closing means normally contacting with both. contacts, means to move the same selectively out of engagement with either contact, and means for returnin'g': the circuit closing means to normal position, substantially as set forth.

' "6; A-circuit controller comprising a pair of spring contactarms, a plate adapted to contact therewith to close the circuit, a bar supportingthe plate and having rectilinear movement, springs surrounding said bar at maintain the contact plate in-central position on the support, and means whereby said plate may be drawn toward either end of the support,substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals at WVashington, District of Columbia, this-fifth day of April, A. D. nineteen hundredand twenty;

I WILLIAM E. BENN. [L.S.] GEORGE 'E. DAVIES. [Ls] Witnesses: V

'WILLIS' B. HALL. E. W. BRADFORD, V 

